World Class Orthopaedic Centre
World Class Orthopaedic Centre of Excellence on our doorstep
Shelly Beach Hospital has become established as an orthopaedic centre of excellence and is set to play a significant role as a major medical facility, not just for South Coasters who now may not need to go 
to Durban for specialised procedures, but also for those in the neighbouring Eastern Cape.
Receiving treatment or undergoing surgery in Durban for treatment can be taxing, not only for the patient, but also the family, who need to travel back and forth between Durban and the South Coast.
Chief Executive Officer Noeleen Phillips, explained that the vision of the hospital is to become a provider of world-class health care.
Achieving the status of becoming an orthopaedic centre of excellence is one of the milestones along the path.
Highly skilled Orthopaedic Surgeons
Five highly-skilled orthopaedic surgeons, Dr Marius du Preez, Dr Fred Babumba, Dr Dave Chivers and Dr Freek Coetzee of Coastal Orthopaedics, and Dr JR van Reenen provide specialised orthopaedic service to patients of the hospital.
These specialists are attracting super specialised orthopaedic surgeons to Shelly Beach Hospital on a visiting basis, to perform highly specialised procedures.
The initiative has removed the need to refer patients to hospitals and super specialists in Durban for procedures requiring advanced levels of skill.
The development of orthopaedic services coincides with the development of advanced trauma and emergency services.
Providing advanced levels of skills to manage trauma is the next logical progression in achieving world class status.
“We want no less for our community,” said Ms Phillips.
The hospital boasts five, state-of-the-art, world-class theatres, three of which have laminar flow, a high tech air-conditioning systems which controls air flow during orthopaedic and other major surgical procedures.
The system is an essential ingredient in reducing surgical site infections.
“They are the Rolls Royce of theatres. What sets them apart is how spacious they are, something which appeals to orthopaedic surgeons, giving them more space in which to work.”
Dr du Preez is well known on the South Coast as a spinal surgeon.
He has moved his practice and is now based at Shelly Beach Hospital.
Spinal Surgery requires specialised facilities and equipment.
One piece of equipment which deserves special mention is the Jacksons operating theatre table.
This is a very high cost item designed specifically for spinal surgery.
The table is designed to improve ease of access to the surgical site, to reduce the risk of injury during the positioning of the patient for surgery, and to reduce occupational injuries to personnel when positioning a patient.
The hospital has been fully licensed by the Department of Health since December 10 last year, and is registered as a service provider with most medical aids.
It is also party to agreements with selected medical aids and surgeons, in providing cost efficient joint replacement services.
South Coasters have over the past 10 years become familiar with Shelly Beach Day Hospital. The Day Hospital still exists, but is now a small part of the very comprehensive package of services now provided by the acute hospital, Shelly Beach Hospital.
During construction the hospital provided jobs for over 400 local workers.
Since completion of the hospital, 400 new jobs have been created in the community by the hospital and the R420-million cost of construction and equipping of the hospital is a further direct new investment into our community.
“This is certainly a vote of confidence in the local economy,” said Ms Phillips.
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